Site search

Gig review: Future Sound of Nottingham Final at Rock City

The Future Sound of Nottingham is one of our city's most exciting music competitions. In the culmination of this year's event, eight acts from across the area competed at Rock City in a high energy final. Read on to find out which musicians were awarded the opportunity to perform at Splendour Festival...

We built this city: celebrating twenty years of I'm Not From London with head promoter Will Robinson

Man about town, creature of the night, gig aficionado, and master of mayhem Will Robinson has been keeping Nottingham’s music scene alive and kicking for twenty years with promotion company I’m Not From London. As the fifteenth Waterfront Festival draws close on Saturday 2 August at the Canalhouse, anniversary celebrations in the works and a great roster of gigs coming up, we caught up with Will to hear some highlights from two decades of gigs.

Local indie rockers The Publics talk influences, community and Splendour Festival

Local indie legends The Publics are known for high energy live shows and a unique double frontman approach. From a huge, sold-out Rescue Rooms headline spot back in December to a main stage slot at Splendour this year, they’ve been up to some very big things. We caught up with lead guitarist Elliot Stephenson to discuss their influences, ethics and upcoming plans…

Preview: Future Sound of Nottingham at Rock City 2025

Returning for 2025, the Future Sound of Nottingham gives Nottingham and Nottinghamshire musicians the opportunity to play the iconic main stages of both Rock City and Splendour Festival.

Gig review and interview: Loren Kramar supports Father John Misty at Rock City

We caught with up with American singer-songwriter Loren Kramar ahead of his Rock City show supporting the legendary Father John Misty...

Out of Time: the lost history of Nottingham revealed in a new book by Joseph Earp

Having recently published a new book that tracks the peculiar history of lost Nottingham buildings, Nottingham Hidden History team leader Joseph Earp told history editor CJ De Barra about how he took a detailed trip through time, discovering many of the stories hidden in our city streets. 

Indie rock, surrealism, and charity football: Here's what's on in Nottingham, 23 -29 June

Whether you're a gig-goer, someone interested in experimental art, or just searching for something for your whole family to do, there'll be something for you in Nottingham this week.

In photos: Bright Eyes at Rock City

Author Elizabeth Lovatt on the history of switchboards in Nottingham's queer community

This month, the Five Leaves Bookshop and Notts Queer History Archive will host author Elizabeth Lovatt at Nottingham Central Library, where she will speak about her new book on the historical  importance of switchboards to Nottingham’s gay and lesbian community. Here Elizabeth tells us about this frequently overlooked corner of queer history. 

In photos: MJ Lenderman at Rock City, with Trace Mountains

Locating Lawrence: June 1925

Lawrence never felt ‘less literary’ than when he was milking his cow...

Nottingham Restaurant Week Returns from 2-8 June 2025

Nottingham’s vibrant food scene is set to sizzle once again as Nottingham Restaurant Week makes its much-anticipated return offering deals and discounts in over 50 establishments...

Out of Time: A gander down the history of Goose Gate

History writer David Hunter takes a wander through the historic district of Hockley to find out the story behind the curious street name ‘Goose Gate’, and the industries and architecture which defined the area.

Gig review: Supergrass at Rock City

There were no bands quite like Supergrass, in 1995. At least, not our writer's hazy recollection. They stood out; slightly apart from their contemporaries. Off to the side seemingly having just that little bit more fun than anyone else. On the evidence of this riotous, rollocking show at Rock City, the same is just as true in 2025...

We catch up with three city centre restaurants ahead of Nottingham Restaurant Week in June

Nottingham Restaurant Week is set to take place across the city from Monday 2 to Sunday 8 June. Organised by It’s in Nottingham, it’s a chance for you to access exclusive discounts and try out some new flavours from the city’s vibrant food scene. To mark the occasion, we caught up with representatives of three popular dining spots involved: Antonio Oriente from Pizzamisu, Amita Sawhney from MemSaab and Terry Hayfield from Fellows, Morton & Clayton.

Gig review: The Waterboys at Rock City

To celebrate the release of Life, Death and Dennis Hopper - a concept album celebrating the film pioneer the project is named after - The Waterboys have embarked on an impressive 32-date tour across the UK. Naturally, LeftLion couldn’t miss their visit to Nottingham...

Indie trio The Amazons talk Rock City, The Chameleon and their love of Nottingham ahead of their Rough Trade gig

While they may proudly herald from Reading, rock trio The Amazons’ thriving career has long been intertwined with our city too. From cutting their teeth in The Chameleon to sold out shows at Rock City, to even playing Motorpoint Arena with Royal Blood, they have spent the last decade making memories and building a strong fanbase right here in NG1. Now with shows at Rough Trade and Rock City coming up in the next six months, we decided to catch up with frontman Matt Thomson to discuss their longstanding romance with Nottingham…

Gig review: Greentea Peng at Rock City

Self-described psychedelic RnB singer-songwriter Greentea Peng returned to Rock City with intention, clarity and energy to burn...

Big bands, Bingo and Bali Hai: A 100-year history of The Palais de Danse Nottingham

From a prison to PRYZM, we take a look through a century of dancing, drinking, entertainment and glamour at Nottingham’s The Palais de Danse…

Locating Lawrence: April 1925

Lawrence is a man of endless energy, and so being bed-ridden and reliant on others impacts his mood...

Gig review: Primal Scream at Rock City

Primal Scream are stone-cold legends of British music. From fusing rock-and-roll with the burgeoning acid-house scene to delirious effect on 1991’s masterpiece Screamadelica, through the brash vitriol and anger of 2000’s XTRMNTR and the pop-flecked Chaosmosis, their restlessness and ability to wrap disparate genres around their inimitable core of emotionally weighty songwriting has secured their position as one of the most vital bands of their generation...

Gig review: Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls at Rock City

From the moment our writer Bassey joined the large queues to get into Rock City, he knew this was going to be a special night. When Frank Turner's playing it always is. The hard-working troubadour was in town with his band The Sleeping Souls to promote the aptly-named album Undefeated, and the atmosphere was electric with eager anticipation...

Have You Got What It Takes To Be Nottingham’s New Nature Poet Laureate?

Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature has announced an open call for a Nature Poet Laureate...

Gig review: Skunk Anansie at Rock City

The force of nature that is Skunk Anansie are on tour promoting their new album The Painful Truth. Three decades since he first witnessed Skin and the rest of the band in action, Mike Hazeldine went down to their sell out gig at what must be one of the best live music venues in the country, Rock City...

Gig review: The Zutons at Rock City

Do you wanna stay out all night? Are we gonna hang ’til it’s light? Do you wanna get outta your mind..? The Zutons have got the Rock City crowd Creepin’ on the Dancefloor…